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                     Donors Gather for Mali Aid Conference

   International donors are gathering in Brussels for a major conference
   Wednesday to raise money to help rebuild Mali.
   The conflict-torn West African nation is seeking about $2.5 billion in
   pledges toward its $5.5 billion plan for infrastructure projects and
   rebuilding government and security institutions.
   Ahead of the conference, the European Union announced Tuesday it will
   give $675 million to the effort over the next two years.
   Also Tuesday, Mali`s interim president Dioncounda Traore said the
   country will hold a presidential election on July 28. He said neither
   he nor other members of the transitional government will run.
   The head of Mali`s electoral commission told VOA that organizers will
   be ready to stage the vote, and expressed optimism that Malian refugees
   will be able to take part.
   Mali plunged into chaos last year when soldiers overthrew the
   government, allowing ethnic Tuaregs and later al-Qaida-linked militants
   to take over the north. French and African troops have helped drive the
   Islamists from major towns, but attacks continue.
   The United Nations Security Council has approved a new peacekeeping
   force for Mali that is expected to take over July 1 from an African-led
   force now in the country. Many of those African troops will become part
   of the U.N. mission.
   The Security Council resolution includes a one-year authorization with
   up to 11,200 military personnel and 1,440 international police.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/donors-gather-for-mali-aid-conference
   /1661214.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/donors-gather-for-mali-aid-conference/1661214.html